Writing Your Own Powerful Affirmations

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A common question I see from people just beginning their personal
development journey is, "How do I write effective affirmations?" Often
they will go in search of existing affirmations that they can apply to
their own situation, but they may or may not find something that works
for them.
In my experience, it is much simpler to come up with our own personal
affirmations because they'll get right to the heart of the matter like
nothing else can!
First, let's explore the reasons for using affirmations so we can be
clear about our objectives in writing them. An affirmation is most
often used to help us think and feel more positive, empowered, and in
control of a particular situation. On a deeper level, an affirmation
is meant to ALTER OUR EXISTING BELIEFS.
Remember that our current circumstances are a direct result of our
past thinking. In order to change our future experiences, we need to
change our current thinking. You might find it helpful to first get
clear about exactly what your current beliefs are. Think about the
various aspects of your life, like your career, financial status,
relationships, health, and so on. As you think about these situations,
ask yourself what beliefs they reveal. If you have a lot of financial
struggles, your existing belief might be, "I don't have enough money,"
or "I can't stop accumulating debt." Because you believe these things,
your outer circumstances have come together in such a way that
supports your beliefs.
Affirmations can help us change our beliefs, if they are worded
correctly.
The first thing to understand is the importance of wording
affirmations in present tense. Notice the difference in feelings you
get from saying, "I will eat healthful, nutritious foods and exercise
each day", or "I enjoy eating healthful, nutritious foods and
exercising each day." The second statement makes the affirmation part
of your experience NOW, while the first keeps the reality off in some
uncertain future period of time.
Okay, so wording affirmations in the present tense is important, but
how can we tell which words will give us the result we desire? The
clues lie in our existing circumstances and beliefs.
If you are unhappy with the size or state of your body, you have been
holding a belief that you are unhealthy, weak, unworthy, or lacking in
beauty. In order to change your negative belief about your body, you
must embrace a more positive belief. "I am healthy, strong, lean, and
sexy" would be a good affirmation to begin changing this perception,
but remember that it will first seem like you're lying to yourself.
Even though you are saying the words, you are not feeling the truth of
such a statement.
Consistent repetition over time will begin to change that, but it's
important to keep up with the practice. There are two times when you
should recite your affirmations:
1) Whenever you notice a conflicting belief. If you go shopping for
clothes and you see an unpleasant image in the dressing room mirror
and your mind begins its litany of negativity, "I'm so fat, oh my god,
I can't believe they let a beast like me walk around in public, I'm
never going to be beautiful, I should just wear a tent for god's
sake!" -- stop yourself, close your eyes and call up an image of
yourself looking radiant, healthy, beautiful, and fit. Recite your
affirmation ("I am healthy, strong, lean, and sexy") with full faith
that it is becoming your reality, moment by moment.
2) All the time. (Or as often as possible.) Don't just wait for
negative beliefs to pop up so you can recite your affirmations, say
them as often as you can remember! Write them down and stick them on
your bathroom mirror, the dashboard of your car, the headboard on your
bed, in your wallet, or any place where you are likely to see them
frequently. The more repetition you can engage in, the more quickly
you will begin to replace your old, limiting beliefs with empowering
new ones.
Finally, the MOST important part of affirmations is the intensity of
belief you hold while you are reciting them. If you just say the words
mechanically and dispassionately, guess what happens? You won't be
changing your existing beliefs because the whole time you're reciting
affirmations (no matter how great they are!), you will also have an
inner voice saying, "Give me a break, who do you think you're
kidding?"
However, if you instead CHOOSE to believe your new affirmations with
full faith and conviction, you will challenge the validity of your
existing beliefs. Two opposing beliefs cannot co-exist in your mind at
the same time. It HAS to be one or the other. This is a good thing
because it means that the more you shift your confidence in your new
beliefs, your old beliefs will fade away and eventually cease to
exist. When that happens, your physical circumstances will shift and
change in order to support your new beliefs.